No review over Phoenix House care home closure

COUNCILLLORS have decided against reviewing the decision to close a Blandford care home.

Dorset County Council's cabinet made the decision earlier this month to close Phoenix House, which provides residential and respite care for people with learning disabilities.

The decision came two years after the building was opened, having cost £4million to build and fit with equipment.

At the request of local councillor Barrie Cooper, the matter came before members of the council's audit and scrutiny committee to decide whether to hold a 'call to account' investigating the process behind the decision.

However, after hearing representations from Mr Cooper, who raised concerns about the business case for building the facility in the first place and the future of the current service users, and from cabinet member Jill Haynes, the committee decided against taking further action.

Cllr Haynes explained that a full business case had been put forward to build Phoenix House back in 2010 but since then national best practices had changed to encourage supported living in the community for people with learning disabilities.

She added: “We will not be moving any of the residents or people who have respite care out before they have an appropriate alternative service elsewhere.”